Remote Machine Operation With Camera-Based Maintenance Overview
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Solution Overview
Problem
Service technicians face challenges during maintenance and repair of machines as they often need to move from the operating console to other positions to examine machine functions, but lack an overview of the machine's operational capacity, leading to inefficient and potentially dangerous operations.
Innovation Solution
A method using a communication device connected via a local radio network to detect and transmit camera images of the machine's operating range, allowing remote operation and monitoring, enabling service technicians to perform maintenance and repairs from different positions safely and efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a service technician moves to another machine position to examine machine functions, then he can examine the operational capacity or operating method of the machine, but he cannot operate the machine in a regular manner and has no overview of the machine as a whole
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the operating console that can be accessed remotely via communication devices. This virtual operating surface replicates all control functions and displays available at the physical operating console, allowing technicians to operate and monitor the machine from any position without losing access to machine-wide information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a communication device as an intermediary between the technician and the machine. This intermediary transmits control signals and display data wirelessly, enabling the technician to interact with the machine's operating surface and receive real-time machine status information from a remote position.
2Ease of operation
If a conventional remote control is used to operate machine components, then the service technician can operate the machine from another position, but there is risk for the service technician due to lack of overview
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the remote control functionality with the remote monitoring functionality into a single integrated system. The communication device simultaneously provides access to the virtual operating surface for controlling machine components and displays real-time camera images and sensor data, allowing the technician to maintain situational awareness while operating machine components from a safe distance.
3Reliability
If an additional assistant is called upon to provide overview during remote operation, then safety may be improved, but service deployment becomes inefficient and economically unattractive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the service technician to self-monitor the machine state through the virtual operating surface that displays real-time data from sensors and cameras. The system provides automated visual feedback about machine operations and component positions, allowing the technician to work independently without requiring an assistant to provide overview, thereby maintaining safety while improving service deployment efficiency.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method enables accelerated and reliable maintenance and repair operations by providing a comprehensive view of the machine's operating ranges, allowing single technicians to perform tasks from various positions, increasing operational safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
detecting at least one operating range of the machine using at least one camera of the machine
Implementation Method 2
radio-transmitting the camera images detected and a machine operating surface on the communication device
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, devices and systems for remotely operating a machine using a communication device. In one aspect, a method includes generating images showing at least one operating range of the machine by using at least one camera of the machine, transmitting the generated images and an image of an operating surface of the machine to the communication device via a radio network, displaying at least one of: the operating surface image and at least one of the generated images on an operating display of the communication device, accepting machine operation commands input by an operator using the operating display, and then transmitting the machine operation commands via the radio network, thereby remotely operating the machine.